Sports clubs of all kind within Wexford county and beyond are the focus of a new club funding initiative just launched under the title Texaco Support for Sport for which a fund of €130,000 has been set aside for distribution on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis, with successful clubs receiving an equal amount of €5,000 in each case.
Aimed at all clubs irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, it is expected to attract all whose activities, goals and ambitions can, in the view of adjudicators, be materially advanced through the receipt and proper use of funding in each case.
Launched by Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, independent ambassador to the Texaco Support for Sport programme and the one who will lead the adjudication process, the initiative has been introduced by Valero Energy (Ireland), the company that markets fuels in Ireland under the Texaco brand.
DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN showing his enthusiasm for Texaco Support for Sport.
“Being launched at a time when many sports clubs may be experiencing financial strain, the initiative is one that Texaco hopes will be welcomed across the board, its purpose being to recognise the important contribution that sports clubs make within communities and throughout Irish society as a whole,” a company spokesperson said.
Open for entries until end-December, winners will be announced early next year. Full details can be viewed online at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com
Two men, both in their early 30s, are in custody in Enniscorthy following a drugs seizure in the town this morning and are due to appear before Gorey District Court tomorrow (Friday).
Gardai searched a house in Enniscorthy where they discovered cocaine with a street value of €4,000, €2,600 in cash and seized a car worth €50,000.
A man with an address in Enniscorthy appeared before Gorey District Court today charged with handling stolen property, driving a stolen car and related motoring offences after being stopped by Gardai on the Milehouse Road in Enniscorthy on Wednesday evening.
A search of the car revealed a large quantity of cigarettes which Gardai believe are part of a major haul allegedly stolen from a supermarket in Clare along with €19,000 in cash on September 26th.
A large quantity of cigarettes was discovered in the Drumgoold area of Enniscorthy in a follow up search which Gardai believe is related to yesterday’s seizure.
The story of Wexford Public Library Service began almost a century ago – in 1922 – when a library service was established in Riverchapel National School, near the popular seaside resort of Courtown. It was one of only four small libraries in Ireland founded as an experimental initiative under the auspices of the Carnegie Trust.
In the century that has almost passed the library service has grown and flourished to the stage where over half a million visits were made to Wexford’s five branches and two mobile libraries in 2018. Active membership of the library service is 21% of the population of Wexford – 149,722 – and the largest county in Leinster.
It is, therefore, appropriate and encouraging that Wexford County Council has a 2020-2025 Development Plan that prioritises the development of the library services over the next five years.
CLLR GER CARTHY Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council
With reference to the Riverchapel library, County Librarian Eileen Morrissey said; “The core principles of that small community library were equity of access to information and reading and the provision of a key focal point in local communities. These principles hold true today as we launch this library development plan.”
“Wexford County Council is extremely proud to establish this Library Development Plan, which has been derived from extensive consultation with the people of County Wexford,” stated Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Ger Carthy.
Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council said; “Public libraries are a valuable resource for our communities. They provide free, open, and democratic public spaces for the citizens of our county. They allow people to come together for a common purpose, to connect and collaborate.”
A sporting link going back half a century is recognised as Castlebridge publican Barney Murphy is honoured for his professional development and supervision of the bar facilities at Wexford Racecourse. Mary Doyle, Chairperson of Wexford Racecourse Supporters Club made a presentation to Mr Murphy for his long service and thanked him for support.
MARY DOYLE (Chairperson) making a presentation to BARNEY MURPHY on behalf of Wexford Racecourse Supporters’ Club. Also in the photo are Liam Spratt, Joe Redmond, Derek Nally, Martin McDonald, Jim Mernagh, Tim Nolan and Nick Doyle.
Mr Murphy paid tribute to the gentlemen, and ladies, of Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club and he recalled many names, but there was a strong note of sadness; “There are faces missing here tonight and it is sad that so many are missing,” he said.
“The committee that formed Wexford Racecourse Supporter’s Club made so much difference to Wexford racecourse and I hope they appreciate the numbers you brought to every race meeting,” said Mr Murphy, who added; “Remember the pressure put on Ivan Yates and Brendan Howlin when building the stands; the money put into changing the running direction of the races; and I very much hope Wexford racecourse realise the importance of the Wexford Racecourse Supporters’ Club.”
Mr Murphy thanked everybody for their support for him, which he said was “very much appreciated” and he concluded; “I will miss all of you but I will come to the races and be delighted to see all those faces once more.”
Making the presentation, Mary Doyle, said as a fellow Castlebridge person, she was honoured to make the presentation on behalf of the Club and wished him well in the future.
Mr Murphy’s daughter, Sandra Murphy, accompanied him to the presentation in the IFA Centre, Enniscorthy and her support was rewarded with a beautiful bunch of flowers.
James Kehoe and his grandchildren Aisling, (13), Emily, (9), and Orla, (7), were rescued when their 7m boat broke down having sustained engine failure in Ballyteigue Bay, half a mile north west of Forlorn Point and the lifeboat under Coxswain Aidan Bates, went to the family’s aid and towed the vessel safely back to Kilmore Quay.
Such was seven-year-old Orla’s delight at being rescued by the lifeboat, she has since created a scrapbook about her adventure.
It also transpires that the family have a close RNLI connection with James’ late father and the girls’ great grandfather, Jimmy Kehoe, a former station mechanic who was awarded a Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum, by the RNLI, for his part in a dangerous rescue off the Saltee Islands 63 years ago.
Jimmy was one of seven crew members on the Kilmore Quay lifeboat Ann Isabella Pyemont, which successfully rescued 10 seamen from the ill-stricken French trawler Augusta Mariste, in a fresh south to south westerly gale with gusts at times of Force 10, in Ballyteigue Bay on the 19 December, 1957.
KILMORE QUAY
Kilmore Quay RNLI Coxswain Aidan Bates said: ‘We were delighted to be able to help the family during the summer and tow the vessel back to safety. It was lovely to hear that Orla went to such efforts to create a scrapbook about the rescue and to be reminded of the girls great-grandfather Jimmy, one of seven former Kilmore Quay RNLI volunteers who were deservedly recognised for their selfless bravery and courage all those years ago.’
James Kehoe, skipper of the boat and the girls’ grandfather said: ‘It was good to experience the professionalism of the lifeboat crew through the eyes of my seven-year-old granddaughter Orla who took such a personal interest in the operation from start to finish.
“Kilmore Quay RNLI has a proud history going back several generations. The current incredibly powerful all-weather boat is state of the art in terms of nautical sophistication. We always need to bear in mind that the service is manned by men and women who volunteer as crew members and who are prepared to take to the sea on a rescue mission in the most appalling weather conditions. Nothing will deter them in a real-life threatening emergency.
“It is so important to remember that this incredible service is funded by voluntary donations. This year Covid-19 has meant the cancellation of the annual Lifeboat Day which is a significant fundraising event for the RNLI so next time you see that lifeboat box on a shop counter – please be generous.”
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality James Browne has welcomed the announcement of €100,000 in funding for Wexford town’s library. The grant will go towards general lighting energy efficiency upgrade works at the Mallin Street facility.
“I welcome today’s announcement of €100,000 in funding for Wexford town library. These works will strengthen the library’s position as a community hub. Works will commence in the Wexford town’s library over the coming weeks and will be completed by end 2020/early 2021”, Minister Browne concluded.
Former Junior Finance Minister and Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy has tendered his resignation from Seanad Éireann to Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar to become Chief Executive of the Irish Association of Investment Management (IAIM), a representative body for the funds and investment industry.
SENATOR MICHAEL D’ARCY… starting out on a new career
“I have made my fullest contribution to public life and now wish to start a new career which I can confirm will be with the Irish Association of Investment Managers,” said Senator D’Arcy who thanked the people of Wexford for their support and said he remains “a proud supporter of Fine Gael”.
Tánaiste Varadkar paid tribute; “I would have loved to have seen Michael return to the Dáil as a TD and a Minister after the next election but understand that after 20 years in public life he wants to start a new chapter of his life.”
A native of Gorey, D’Arcy was a TD for the Wexford constituency from 2016 to 2020, and previously between 2007 and 2011. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 2017 to 2020. He lost his seat in this year’s General Election and was elected to the Seanad for the Agricultural Panel in April. He previously served as a Senator for the Administrative Panel from 2011 to 2016, and as a local councillor.
The Bree Hunt point-to-point races went off splendidly in Indian summer conditions at Monksgrange, Rathnure, this afternoon, two races divided to extend into an eight-race card, but the spoils were evenly shared with no more than one victory each. The ground was fast and produced some excellent racing.
Paloma Dove made all to win the mares’ four-year-old maiden race by six lengths giving Harley Dunne his first win from two runs in his new role as handler training from a new base at Clonroche. Dunne is a former novice champion rider from 2013 and this was his 80th career point-to-point success.
BARRY O’NEILL (rider) COLIN BOWE (handler) and SINEAD COWMAN (groom) with VICTORIAS PEAK following victory at Monksgrange races this afternoon
The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided – 10 in each division. Matthew Flynn O’Connor who trains locally at Ballycrystal won the first division with Comes Recommended who came home two lengths to the good under Wicklow rider Brian Lawless. “He travelled and jumped well all the way. He will go to the sales,” said his happy handler afterwards.
Division two was a spectacular affair with four of the field coming down over the last two fences and only two finishers with half a length separating the survivors. Benny Walsh held a lead of about 10 lengths going into the last on Musta Lovea Lovea, running in the colours of his wife, Jenny, when the partnership crashed out leaving Rob James on Crystal Glory and Steven Connor on Gortmillish to fight out the finish. Half a length favoured Crystal Glory on the line to raise a flag for the Monbeg Syndicate and the Donnchadh Doyle stable.
Barry O’Neill had his sixth win of the new season for Colin Bowe when Victorias Park scored by ten lengths for the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd. “Hopefully, we’ll find a new home for her,” quipped Bowe who will be aiming for the sales ring with the daughter of Fame and Glory.
The biggest field of the day – 25 – was in the five-year-old geldings maiden race run in two divisions and both winners were from visiting stables. Jony Max, bred by John and Miriam Murphy, Inch, Gorey, travelled from the Thurles stables of Pat Doyle to win division one by four lengths in the hands of Pa King; division two went to Dare To Begin, handled by Ellmarie Holden, Ballyhale, Kilkenny, and ridden by veteran rider Derek O’Connor. “He worked well at home. Great to get him over line. He is for the sales now,” said Ms Holden.
PALOMA DOVE is foot perfect over the last jump to give HARLEY DUNNE his 80th win as a rider and his first as a handler at Monksgrange races
The maiden race for six-year olds and upwards was an opportunity for novice riders to perform and the winner was Corach Rambler by two and a half lengths for handler John Martin Walsh from Duncormick and The Forge Syndicate. The winning rider was Sean Staples, also from Duncormick, having his second victory of the season and four in total.
The final race of the day was the Winners of One and Jordan Gainford, Caim, successful at Necarne yesterday, added another winner when bringing home The Forge Hill by six lengths for the Monbeg Partnership and Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, beating Colin Bowe’s Sleepsaurus with Barry O’Neill up.
Seventy-three runners lined up for the eight races.
A 33 years old man has died in a fatal single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 11:30pm last night (Saturday) at Newtown, near Taghmon.
The driver of the car involved was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
The road is currently closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí at Wexford are appealing for any witnesses to this collision or for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at this time to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The Northern point-to-point season opened today (Saturday) at Necarne, Co. Fermanagh, with two Wexford trained winners – Fern Arable for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh and High Stakes for John Walsh, Tinahely, who was winning for the second successive week to make it two victories from two runs.
Fern Arable was first time out in the mares’ maiden race and went on to score by nine lengths for Gorey rider Luke Murphy and handler Denis Murphy (no relation) to open their account for the new season.
High Stakes was up against two other contenders in the Winner of Two race, but both fell, and High Stakes, who won his maiden at Ballingarry last Saturday on his debut for owner/trainer John Walsh of Preban, Tinahely, gave James Walsh, (29), his 50th career success.
Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin, saddled his 190th career winner with the Monbeg Syndicate’s Er Dancer winning the geldings’ maiden contest by nine lengths to give Ross Foley, Bagenalstown, his first winner.
JORDAN GAINFORD… a winner today at Necarne, Co. Fermanagh
Jordan Gainford, from Caim, won the maiden race for four-year olds on Bold Endeavour for Antrim owner/handler Warren Ewing. It was an easy victory. Bold Endeavour went clear after the first fence and stayed well ahead of the field, and clearly had everything beaten a mile from home!
Winged Leader won his fourth race in a row for local trainer David Christie, Enniskillen, with Barry O’Neill in the saddle. Fifth success for the champion rider. The winning verdict was just one length in the Open Lightweight Race.
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